Here's food for thought: What does it say when you out spend your opponent 3 to 1... and still lose? What does it say when the media has already anointed you the nominee and has counted out your opponent for over two months now...and you still lose? What does it say when you've been given numerous opportunities to put your opponent away (New Hampshire, Nevada, California, Ohio, Texas, and now Pennsylvania)...and you lose every time?
Does anyone ever stop and ask themselves the above questions? Seriously, Obama had everything going for him --- money, time, the media --- and he still can't put Hillary Clinton away. Regardless of the final margin of victory for Clinton in Pennsylvania, the fact that she still won, despite all the odds, is a real testament to her strength as a candidate (or is it Obama's lack of strength).
And now the race moves on to Indiana and North Carolina. Obama will win North Carolina, and he should do so extremely conformably. The true battle ground is now Indiana. Again, Obama has all the advantages---money, time, media, and he's from a neighboring state. Harold Ford Jr., a high ranking Democratic Party official, really had a great take on the Indiana primary on MSNBC just a few minutes ago. He pointed out that Obama needs to win it --- not because he needs the delegates or the popular votes, but rather as a matter to show that he can still win in states that are not his "base" states. North Carolina is an Obama base state, as is Oregon. The same can be said about Kentucky and West Virginia for Clinton. But, as Ford alluded to, Indiana is, more or less, neutral territory. The question will be answered, based on the Indiana results, if Obama is limited to his base states. If he can't win Indiana, Ford analyzed that it is a bad sign for Obama in the eyes of the undecided superdelegates, and I agree. Exactly how much time, money, and states does Obama need to put Clinton away? If he can't do it in Indiana, he can't do it --- period.
So, in conclusion, I would like to congratulate Sen. Clinton on her hard fought victory in Pennsylvania. Tomorrow, it's on to Indiana, and then on May 6, this all begins again.
(P.S.: Clinton agreed to debate in North Carolina; Obama rejected. Is he scared? Obviously so.)
